Tommy reflects on the last year and looks ahead to 2018 for the ALLIANCE's Dementia Carer Voices programme.
The last few years have been quite an incredible journey, ending 2017 at Wilshaw General Hospital talk 667, reaching more than 100,000 people in person, on our make a difference tour across the country. With 17,000 Nurses, Students, Hospitals, Care Homes, Universities, Colleges and Individuals making pledges and commitments to make a difference In so many ways and settings.
Reflecting over the break and looking ahead to 2018, the theme has been consistent, and I know will continue to be so, that its people who change lives, its people who make a difference over and above policies and strategies, its people who make the difference every day.
This has been reflected within the pledges received and people I feel so lucky to have met on the tour. Remarkable people, doing remarkable things every day.
We are so very proud to be sharing key messages at talks in Scotland from Professor Fiona McQueen CNO for Scotland and in England Leading Change adding Value Framework for Nursing Midwifery and Care Staff for Professor Jane Cummings CNO to help support pledges and turning good intentions into purposeful actions.
Someone asked me what did I learn caring for my mum living with dementia, I feel a lesson my mum had been trying to teach me all of my life and maybe should have listened much sooner, that people are amazing, remarkable, everyone has a story to tell and if we take the time to listen, we will find out how remarkable they are, taking time I feel to ask ‘ what matters to you and who matters to you.
We look forward to continuing our make a difference tour across the country, meeting more remarkable people, strengthening existing and building new relationships along the way.
If you would like is to bring our ‘Make a Difference’ talk to your place of work, please contact us at dementiacarersvoices@alliance-scotland.org.uk